PEMBROKE IN BRIEF 2020-2021

1624 Pembroke foundedKing James signs the letters patent to create the current College

Chapel builtIn a plain classical style by William Townesend, the most prominent Oxford Mason of his day

Hall builtThe neo-medieval Hall and kitchens underwent extensiverenovations in 2011

Pembroke celebrates its first 400 yearsWith new facilities to accommodategraduate students and foster worldclass study, research, and outreach

Rokos QuadCompletedProviding a stunning new facilityto accommodate students, hostacademic and artistic events, andgenerate income to support theCollege’s mission

1732

1850

2024

2013

Pembroke College will be 400 in 2024. We are a lively and ambitious academic community, supportive and respectful of each other, and outgoing and international in approach.

Our alumni have helped define the contribution of each generation since the College’s foundation. In the following pages, you will see a snapshot of the College today. We aim to:

● be an outstanding academic institution with a reputation as an innovative, influential, and adaptable community;● attract the best students and academics regardless of background, and to encourage them to achieve their full potential;● provide a rich, varied, and valued experience for all members of the College, from students through to alumni;● enhance the College’s financial stability and resilience while supporting our unique Tutorial system and distinguished built heritage; and● engage positively with the wider public, particularly our 8,000 alumni and the local community.

As the new Master, I look forward to working with alumni, Fellows, staff, and students to imagine our bold new future and put in place a strategy that will allow us to achieve it. We would welcome an opportunity to tell you more about our plans. Please contact us if you would like to know more.

Rt. Hon. Sir Ernest RyderMaster of College

Thomas ClaytonLast Master of Broadgates,an important medievalhall, and first Master of Pembroke.

William BlackstoneLegal writer and judge. Author of Commentaries on the Laws of England.

James William FulbrightRhodes Scholar. US Senator and the creator of the Fulbright Program.

J R R TolkienWriter, poet, philologist and academic. Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon and Fellow at Pembroke (1925).

Katharine Viner (1989)British journalist and playwright, first woman editor-in-chief of The Guardian.

Tarik O’Regan (1996)British and American composer, two-time Grammy nominee and recipient of two British Composer Awards.

Roger BannisterMiddle-distance athlete, physician, and academic. Master of Pembroke (1985–1993).

Michelle Peluso (1993)IBM’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, and previously CEO of Travelocity and Site59, which she co-founded.

Samuel JohnsonPoet, essayist, literary critic, editor, and lexicographer. Author of A Dictionary of the English Language published in 1755.

1600s

1700s

1900s 1900sJames SmithsonScientist and founder (posthumously) of the Smithsonian institute.

Notable AlumniNotable Alumni

Pete Buttigieg (2005)American politician and Afghanistan War veteran.

Monica Juma (1995)Currently Kenya’s Defense Cabinet Secretary and previously Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs, with an international career spanning public service, research, and academia.

The College is an historic foundation dedicated to serving the common good through the provision of education and the promotion of scholarship and research.

ACADEMICALLYAMBITIOUS

INCLUSIVE COLLABORATIVE BALANCED ADAPTABLE

Our Purpose and Values The College Community

Pembroke’s student body

Undergraduates Visiting students Graduates Academic Staff Support Staff Alumni

390 32 241 188 142 8,767A network of around And of course, our...

Pembroke seeks to truly reflect the worldaround us, where the finest minds from allbackgrounds thrive in a vibrant, diverse culturefor learning, and research that touches on someof the most pressing issues of the day is fostered.

Since we set up the ground-breaking OxNet Access programme in 2008, we have engaged with over 10,000 of the UK’s less privileged young people through a series of six locally-based hubs in London and the North of England. Our academically-driven programme has inspired students and broadened their horizons, with a large proportion choosing to move into higher education. As Oxford University increased its focus on access, we have both helped to lead and been actively involved with their initiatives such as the UNIQ summer school, Opportunity Oxford, and regional link outreach.

107%

90%

70%

rise in state school applicants to Pembroke between

2008 and 2020

of pupils who took part in Pembroke access activities

say they learnt skills that will help manage future University

challenges

of our UK undergraduate intake in 2020 will come

from state schools

A Commitment to Inclusion

Undergraduate Subjects

Und

ergr

adua

te S

ubje

cts Arabic, Persian and Turkish

BiochemistryBiologyChemistryChineseEconomics and ManagementEngineeringEnglishEnglish and Modern LanguagesEuropean and Middle Eastern LanguagesExperimental PsychologyHebrew and Jewish StudiesHistoryHistory and EconomicsHistory and EnglishHistory and Modern LanguagesHistory and PoliticsJapaneseLaw (Jurisprudence)MathematicsMaths and PhilosophyMedicineModern LanguagesModern Languages and LinguisticsMusicPhilosophy and Modern LanguagesPhilosophy, Politics and EconomicsPhilosophy and TheologyPhysicsPhysics and PhilosophyPsychology, Philosophy and LinguisticsTheology and Oriental StudiesTheology and Religion

Our vibrant international group of graduate students are engaged in learning and research across an even broader spectrum of subjects, adding a valuable extra dimension to our academic community

,

Celebrating Success for 2019Achievements by Fellows, Students and Alumni

2019-2020 in ReviewAchievements by Fellows, Students, Staff, and Alumni

Professor Ariel Ezrachi

Professor Ben Davis

Dr Ushashi Dasgupta

Pembroke Catering Team

Dr Amy Dickman

Pembroke Tutor in LawProfessor Ariel Ezrachi is

heading a small research groupthat have just received fundingfrom the Leverhulme Trust to

support a project that willstudy the relationship betweencompetition policy and wealth

distribution. The project, launched in February 2020, examines

whether effective competitionlaw enforcement can reduceeconomic inequality within

developed countries.

Fellow and Professor ofChemistry Ben Davis is

conducting innovative researchinto the properties of COVID

19 at the Rosalind Franklin Institute, in an attempt to gain an understanding of how the virus attacks and enters human cells.Working alongside Professor Jim

Naismith, the director of the institute, Ben and his group have been using spike proteins to try and determine which sugars the

virus is most likely to attack.Through this they hope to be able

to understand how the virusfunctions, and how the

development of decoy proteinscould act as blocking mechanisms

for the virus.

Dr Ushashi Dasgupta, The Jonand Julia Aisbitt Fellow and Tutor in English at Pembroke, has recently had a new book published with OUP titled Charles Dickens and

the Properties of Fiction: The Lodger World. This title explores the

significance of tenancy in the works of Dickens, and more broadly,

the relationship betweenphysical space, money, and

the human experience.

In April, Pembroke’s ExecutiveChef Kevin Dudley and histeam were approached by Oxford City Council for

help feeding the homelessindividuals they had housed intemporary shelters around thecity in response to the COVIDcrisis. Working out the detailsof this new operation at shortnotice and to fit around thereduced staffing levels in thekitchens during the lockdown

period was a challenge.However, they ultimately

prepared over 40,000 meals,much to the delight of those

who enjoyed them.

Kaplan Senior Research Fellow Dr Amy Dickman has been recognised

for her extraordinary work in the field of big cat conservation, which centres on working with

local tribes to find ways for humans and big cats to coexist

and avoid conflict. One particularly notable achievement has been the establishment of a strong working

relationship with the Barabaig tribe, who were traditionally

hostile towards outsiders as well as prolific lion killers. By building strong relationships with local

villagers, particularly warriors and women, to engage and empower them through conservation and

extensive community, people see more value from live wildlife than

from killing them.

Academics and Staff Leading the Way

Michal Jezierskiawarded TechnosInternational Prize

BlavatnikChemistryLaureate

Katie Fapp ReceivesCarwardine Prize

Leading Role inCOVID 19Response

‘Super Sapiens’ GameLaunched by DPhilStudent Alexa Virdi

PrestigiousInternationalExhibition

Student DiversityWeek Online

Exceptional Book Deal

Warren StanislausRecognised with Rare

Rising Stars Award 2019

GB Rowing Success

Michal won this award, which recognises outstanding academic performance and commitment to the cause of international

understanding, due to his close work both UK and Polish

organisations throughout his studies to bridge the gaps between different styles of research and to bring communities together. Last year, he organised an international event at Pembroke for the “From Poland with Science” series, which attracted around 150 attendees.

Dr Kirsty Penkman (1996,Chemistry) was recognised for

her leadership in researchthat has made significantadvances in the accuratedating of ancient fossils.Previously, dating fossils

beyond 50,000 years old wasparticularly challenging.

Through her innovations,fossils over 3 million years oldhave now been successfully

dated, opening up hugepossibilities to better

understand human evolutionas well as climate change.

Katie Fapp (2018, MSt History) was awarded the annual Carwardine Prize, which is given to the US

History Masters student adjudged to be the most outstanding individual of the year. This followed her innovative

research into women’s suffrage in the West and the historical memory

of the American Civil War. Her academic supervisor, Dr Stephen Tuffnell, commented: ‘Katie was a more than worthy recipient of the

award’ and that her submitted work was ‘written with verve

and panache’.

Prof Chris Whitty (1985,Biological Sciences), Hon Fellow, is

a physician and epidemiologistwho serves as Chief Medical

Officer for England, Chief MedicalAdviser to the UK Government,Chief Scientific Adviser at the

Department of Health and SocialCare, and Head of the NationalInstitute for Health Research. In

March 2020, Whitty took aleading role in the response to the

COVID 19 pandemic in theUnited Kingdom, alongside

Government Chief ScientificAdviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

Alexa Virdi (2014, DPhil Law) recently launched Super Sapiens, a social enterprise that creates

inclusive and fun educational card games for children.

The game explores the stories of some of history’s global female

icons, uncovers hidden histories, and seeks to inspire and cultivate understanding. Alexa has pledged to donate 20% of her Kickstarter

profits to charity, with the game also being produced via a conscious, ethical supply chain.

Part of the proceeds will fund a Pembroke Access Summer School

place for a Bermudian student.

Frederic Aranda (1998, Oriental Studies: Japanese) recently

had his portrait of Sir Ian McKellenselected for the Royal Photographic

Society’s prestigious annual International Photographic

Exhibition. The exhibition, which was being held for its 162nd consecutive year, consisted of a total of 100 images, taken

from photographers around the globe to celebrate “a wealth of international talent”. Selection is

highly competitive, with thousands of photographers entering the

competition every year.

One of many activities during Trinity Term’s annual Diversity

Week were remote sign language lessons with student Sophie Lewis (2018, History and English). At the

end of it, the students signed a message of hope and solidarity for their fellow Pembrokians to helpduring a challenging time. Theyperformed Bridge Over Troubled

Water accompanied by Pembroke musicians. This is just one

example of how the students created virtual support for each other through podcasts, videos,

and reading lists.

Nancy Tucker (2015, Experimental Psychology) secured a six-figure book deal with Hutchinson to

publish her debut novel, The First Day of Spring. Nancy, who has

previously authored non-fiction titles The Time in Between and That Was When People Started to Worry,

began writing the novel during her time at Pembroke. It was sold

following an auction at which considerable international

interest was shown.

DPhil History student and Tanaka Graduate scholar, Warren Stanislaus (2017, DPhil History)

was awarded 3rd place in the 2019 Rare Rising Stars awards which

celebrate the achievements of the UK’s top 10 black students and

aims to inspire the next generation and provide them with access

to role models. Warren was recognised for his

academic excellence and his 10+ years’ engagement with Japan as both a student and professional.

Erin Kennedy (2011, History and English), who began her rowing career as a fresher at Pembroke,

represented Great Britain at the 2019 World Championships

for rowing. Erin was also the cox for the 2018 Paralympic

World Championship team and had hoped to be in the Tokyo

Olympics Boat before lockdown caused its cancellation.

Student Achievements Alumni Success

Preparing Pembroke for the Next 400 Years Our Current Priorities are to:

The Oxford College system’s historic strength is that colleges are interdisciplinary communities made up of the finest minds, who can impact real-world problems and build the kind of in-depth societal context that underpins transformational understanding. Pembroke adds to that a uniquely open, collaborative ethos. Its historic tradition is important, but it is merely the platform for a vibrant, relevant future.

In order to maximize the potential of this community, one must nurture those at all levels: student, emerging scholar, senior academic, alumnus. Pembroke seeks to do this by building the facilities, providing the welfare and academic support, and underpinning the critical financial stability that enables research and scholarship to take the long view necessary to solve big problems and develop tomorrow’s big thinkers.

If the recent pandemic has illustrated anything, it is that fulfilling that potential is a group effort. Capped fees, limited business opportunities, and a solid but limited endowment means that help is needed if we are to lead and excel. We welcome you as partners on this journey.

- support our talented graduate students, the next generation of world-leading scholars for whom other sources of funding are scarce, with scholarships and research awards;

- redevelop an area of our Geoffrey Arthur Building annex to provide College accommodation for some 80 graduate students and 4 early-career academics arriving in Oxford;

- provide academically-intensive access activities that engage secondary school pupils in university-style learning and inspire them to set their sights on Russell Group universities and to apply to Pembroke;

- and build the permanent endowment of the College to provide annual income that we can use flexibly as needs change, allowing us to be truly adaptable.

College Finances

15 years ago, Pembroke was in poor repair with only a small endowment that was unable to ensure long-term financial stability. Today, it enjoys sound management, an endowment of £60m, a more efficient and effective infrastructure and a strong strategic vision.Our future aim is to continue enhancing facilities with a new library and additional graduate housing, while building an endowment that allows us not just to be safe, but to be ambitious in pursing our strategic priorities.

College FinancesFifteen years ago, Pembroke had an endowment that was insufficient to resolve the physical backlog of works, fund necessary academic and non-academic expenditure and, more strategically, ensure long-term financial viability.

Today, the College has a clear strategic vision: it has put the majority of its properties into good repair, as well as building the Rokos Quad;

invested heavily in its access and academic activities; developed its alumni relations activities; enhanced its ability to earn and raise income; strengthened its management structure; and built an endowment that, with income from further donations and conferences, can cover basic College functions.

College Finances

Budgeted Income 19/20

Budgeted Expenditure

Actual Expenditure

Actual Income 19/20*

*year end, pre-audited figures

Academic Domestic Conferences Investment Donations

The impact of COVID 19 has been dramatic. Waiving room charges for students in Trinity term and no commercial business being possible since March has reduced total income by over £1.3m, whilst related savings and other prompt management action has only reduced total expenditure by just under £500,000, due to a large proportion of costs being fixed staff costs. The Governing Body of the College has been committed to continue to support academic and teaching needs as well as ensuring job security for all staff over this period. Assuming students can stay in residence for the 20-21 academic

year and earnings from commercial operations and fundraising return to something like normal by the end of the academic year, 2020/21 will see the College’s financial situation improving, but it cannot be doubted that the results for these two years will reverse, albeit limitedly, its development. The financial resilience achieved by the College over the last 15 years, without which it would have struggled to survive the current crisis, needs to be recovered as soon as possible, without detriment to the continuing fulfilment of its charitable objectives.

37% £12.79m

£12.78m

£12.29m63%

62%

24%

25%

13%

13%

£11.49m44%

21%

17%

14%

9%

18%

21%

10%

9%

How to Get InvolvedYou can support Pembroke College in a number of ways

Give to the Annual Fund for Pembroke

Support individual projects through crowdfunding

Talk with the Development Team about leaving a gift in your Will or find out how a larger commitment might impact an aspect of Pembroke important to you

Become a regional network or year Champion

Become the alumni representative to a student society or club

Become a mentor to a student or younger alumni to share your knowledge and experience

Extend your own professional network, spot promising student talent and raise the profile of your organisation by attending or sponsoring events

development@pmb.ox.ac.uk

Financial

Volunteer

You can support Pembroke College in a number of ways

● Give to the Annual Fund for Pembroke.

● Support individual projects through crowdfunding.

● Talk with the Development Team about leaving a gift in your Will or find out how a larger commitment might impact an aspect of Pembroke that is important to you.

● Become a regional network or year Ambassador.

● Become the alumni representative to a student society or club.

● Become a mentor to a student or younger alumni to share your knowledge and experience.

● Extend your own professional network, spot promising student talent, and raise the profile of your organisation by attending or sponsoring events.

development@pmb.ox.ac.uk

Volunteer

Financial

How to Get InvolvedYou can support Pembroke College in a number of ways

Give to the Annual Fund for Pembroke

Support individual projects through crowdfunding

Talk with the Development Team about leaving a gift in your Will or find out how a larger commitment might impact an aspect of Pembroke important to you

Become a regional network or year Champion

Become the alumni representative to a student society or club

Become a mentor to a student or younger alumni to share your knowledge and experience

Extend your own professional network, spot promising student talent and raise the profile of your organisation by attending or sponsoring events

development@pmb.ox.ac.uk

Financial

Volunteer

‘‘However ordinary each of us may seem, we are all in some way special, and can do things that are extraordinary, perhaps until then… even thought impossible.

SIR ROGER BANNISTERMASTER (1985-1993)

How to Get Involved

KEEP IN TOUCH

01865 276444development@pmb.ox.ac.ukwww.pmb.ox.ac.uk

Pembroke College Oxford Alumni

Pembroke College

Pembroke College OxfordAll details correct at time of print: Summer 2019

KEEP IN TOUCH Pembroke College Oxford Alumni

Pembroke College

Pembroke College Oxford

01865 276444development@pmb.ox.ac.ukwww.pmb.ox.ac.uk